A partnership that brings the best academic minds together with industry has seen a young graduate secure a place at a north east advanced manufacturing firm.

Pete Hunt has joined Blyth-based Solar Capture Technologies as part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Northumbria University.

Under the KTP, the 23-year-old product design graduate will work with the Solar Capture Technologies team on developing concepts for utilising energy from sunlight.

“This technology lends itself to so many applications but the challenge facing the industry is in harnessing the energy in a manner which enables it to be deployed on a commercial scale,” said Pete.

“I’ve been given this fantastic opportunity to work with the Solar Capture Technologies team and experts from the Northumbria University’s Design School on developing product designs to fully exploit this truly sustainable energy source.”

Solar Capture Technologies specialises in the research, development and production of photovoltaic systems, harnessing sunlight to provide sustainable energy for a range of end-uses.

Chief executive Steve Caseley said: “Having captured the energy from sunlight, the next challenge is in transferring it to a power source such as a rechargeable battery.

“With Pete’s help and under the guidance of the University’s Design School, we are looking at product designs that maximise efficiency while at the same time are robust and if necessary, visually attractive.”

KTPs are intended to facilitate the transfer of knowledge through projects undertaken by high calibre, recently qualified people under joint supervision from a company and an academic institution.

Funded by the UK’s innovation agency, the Technology Strategy Board, KTPs also provide the participating graduate with the opportunity to take their first steps on the career path.